US is reducing staffing at 4 Middle East embassies over increased threats from Iran

The Independent - Oct 24, 2026

The State Department says it will reduce staffing at four U.S. embassies in the Middle East after receiving intelligence that Iran has stepped up efforts to target American personnel in the region and elsewhere

Read full article

More News

Many feared trapped as a tall building collapses in Kenya
Oct 24, 2026
Many feared trapped as a tall building collapses in Kenya

NAIROBI, Kenya — Many people were feared trapped as a tall building collapsed Friday in Kenya’s capital, leaving a huge mound of concrete and more than a dozen floors stacked like pancakes, with little space between them. The building was under construction when it collapsed at about 1 p.m. along a busy commercial street in Nairobi's Eastleigh area, which is often crowded with thousands of traders and residents. Nairobi police chief Issa Mohamud said the building had more than 10 upper floors under construction. Rescue operations were complicated, with police firing tear gas at people who had begun looting neighboring shops, as officers sought to clear the area and provide access to emergency response teams. Joseph Kaula made it out just in time. A plasterer working on the fifth floor, he said he heard screams and spotted other workers rushing outside, shouting that the building was collapsing. “I was the last person to walk out before it collapsed and the whole area was filled with dust,” Kaula said. Kaula suspects a few of his colleagues were trapped in the basement. One injured

US consumer sentiment near record low ahead of midterm elections
Oct 24, 2026
US consumer sentiment near record low ahead of midterm elections

U.S. consumer sentiment edged down to near a record low in October as rising prices because of the Middle East conflict soured households' views of the economy on the doorstep of midterm congressional elections centering on affordability issues, a survey showed on Friday. The University of Michigan's Surveys of Consumers said its Consumer Sentiment Index dropped to 48.0 this month from a final reading of 48.1 in September. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast the index at 46.3, which had also been the index's preliminary reading for October. October's reading marked the second-lowest on record after the all-time low of 44.8 set in May, not long after the Iran war began. "Purchasing power continues to dominate consumer views of the economy," said Joanne Hsu, the director of the Surveys of Consumers. "Sentiment is now 10 percent below a year ago and 15 percent less than February, just prior to the Iran conflict." The survey results dovetail with political polling data showing voters have a dim view of the economy and President Donald Trump's and the Republican Party's stewardship over

Wall Street mostly loses ground under pressure from rising oil prices
Oct 24, 2026
Wall Street mostly loses ground under pressure from rising oil prices

NEW YORK — Stocks slipped on Wall Street Friday under increasing pressure from rising oil prices. The S&P 500 fell 0.2 percent, adding to its decline from a day before. The index is on track for a second-straight week of losses. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 541 points, or 1 percent, as of 11:12 a.m. Eastern time. The Nasdaq composite rose 0.2 percent, bolstered by gains for several big tech stocks that also helped ease losses elsewhere. Rising oil prices weighed heavily on the broader market, where three out of every four stocks within the benchmark S&P 500 index fell. The price for a barrel of Brent crude oil rose 2.4 percent to $115.86. It has surged from less than $97 at the start of October and is now at its highest level since March. Several AI-related companies made big moves. Micron Technology jumped 3.4 percent and Microsoft rose 0.8 percent and helped ease the impact on major indexes from a broad drop for most stocks. Even a relatively small 0.3 percent gain from Nvidia went a long way to help offset losses elsewhere in the market. The tech sector's influence is also c

IMD alert for today: Cyclone brewing in Bay of Bengal; heavy rain forecasted for Tamil Nadu, Karnataka
Oct 24, 2026
IMD alert for today: Cyclone brewing in Bay of Bengal; heavy rain forecasted for Tamil Nadu, Karnataka

Northeast monsoon began over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, South Interior Karnataka, and Kerala and Mahe.

Two Dan Sullivans, one Senate seat? Trump wants Alaska vote on hold if… | Unusual executive order explained
Oct 24, 2026
Two Dan Sullivans, one Senate seat? Trump wants Alaska vote on hold if… | Unusual executive order explained

Trump’s Justice Department seeks to block Alaska Senate election certification if Dan Sullivan loses, citing voter confusion over a similar-named candidate.

Typhoon Champi sweeps past Taiwan, one dead and 500 injured
Oct 24, 2026
Typhoon Champi sweeps past Taiwan, one dead and 500 injured

Typhoon Champi swept past Taiwan on Saturday killing one person and injuring more than 500, downing trees and severing power, as it continues to weaken and head north towards the Chinese coast.

Who is Himanshu Bhau? One of India's most wanted gangsters and Lawrence Bishnoi rival arrested by FBI in the US?
Oct 24, 2026
Who is Himanshu Bhau? One of India's most wanted gangsters and Lawrence Bishnoi rival arrested by FBI in the US?

The FBI has arrested Himanshu Bhau, a 24-year-old Indian gangster wanted in Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh for crimes including murder, extortion and kidnapping. Accused of leading a major gang and operating from abroad, Bhau is a rival of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.

Deadly shootings outside Paris a ‘terrorist attack’, say police
Oct 24, 2026
Deadly shootings outside Paris a ‘terrorist attack’, say police

French President Emmanuel Macron described the shootings as a “racist terrorist attack” and warned of the pressure on the nation due to weeks of unrest.

Pentagon designates China-funded Confucius Institutes as US national security threat
Oct 24, 2026
Pentagon designates China-funded Confucius Institutes as US national security threat

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth accused China-funded Confucius Institutes of stealing intellectual property and spreading propaganda on American university campuses.

A 4.5 magnitude earthquake struck Tibet on Saturday morning, days after a powerful quake killed 16
Oct 24, 2026
A 4.5 magnitude earthquake struck Tibet on Saturday morning, days after a powerful quake killed 16

Two days after a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Tibet, killing at least 16 people, a magnitude 4.5 earthquake struck the region on Saturday (local time).

US Could "Absolutely" Strike Iran This Weekend, Says Envoy
Oct 24, 2026
US Could "Absolutely" Strike Iran This Weekend, Says Envoy

Trump has also signalled an openness to resuming strikes on Iran after a long deadlock in diplomacy.

Recommended

Expert Features

The Expert Features reports on the issues and the world’s everyday news. Handled by experts in different niches, you will find different subjects and perspectives.

Terms
Privacy Policy
Press
Advertisement
Contact

Copyright © 2015 - 2026 Expert Features. All Rights Reserved.